Dan Helppi | + Follow Poet |
Ballad | + Fav Poem | Comment | Email | Print |

Veterans Day, My Dad Served

Note not sent To My Dad on Veteran’s Day:
A letter you wrote , I found
in Old Uncle Laurie’s house.
You were young, Seventeen
You wrote of things to come

War
And fear
And your new car.
Nam ate your soul
Mangled
You
Stupid war, Johnson’s shout at glory.
Our beautiful hero died too young
The damn war never would’ve come
If  Their  machine hadn’t killed him.
You
heeded
Johnson’s summon
Answered their call
Over the
Sea

Voodoos and Jesus nuts
Medic up, man down
Punjis and pissed pants
Wet and rotting stench
You came home.  But did you come back?

Please Login to post a comment

Arthur Vaso Date: 11/15/2014 11:09:00 PM What a great write. I will always honor those who have given their all so that we may be free. War is terrible, however freedom has a steep price, so that even those who are wrong, are free to express their views without fear, something to think about! Login to Reply Dan Helppi Date: 11/17/2014 4:44:00 PM Thanks Arthur.

Jack Ellison Date: 11/12/2014 8:55:00 PM When will the world ever learn??? Not in my lifetime! Great write Dan... wars are hell that accomplish absolutely zero!! Login to Reply Dan Helppi Date: 11/13/2014 8:01:00 PM Exactly right Jack, it reminds me of when my boys fight over the dumbest things, you'd think the world would've grown up by now!

Ben Burton Date: 11/12/2014 9:36:00 AM Very poignant, Dan. Nice writing! Login to Reply Dan Helppi Date: 11/12/2014 11:50:00 AM Thanks Ben.

Demetrios Trifiatis Date: 11/12/2014 8:01:00 AM Any war is a disaster! Destroys people and countries plus the souls of all involved. NO VICTORS ARE THERE! It's only the shame of humanity! A great poem, dear Dan! It is glorious to remember those who for their country and family fought! Login to Reply Dan Helppi Date: 11/12/2014 11:49:00 AM Thanks for the kind comments Demetrios.

Sandip Goswami Date: 11/12/2014 3:37:00 AM A soldier knows what is the war...A poet understands the pains of the soldiers....Very nice thoughts...Thanks dear...Best wishes from India... Login to Reply Dan Helppi Date: 11/12/2014 11:48:00 AM Thanks, Sandip.

Wayne Riley Date: 11/11/2014 5:24:00 PM God Bless.... Login to Reply Dan Helppi Date: 11/11/2014 8:03:00 PM Thank you Wayne.

Andrea Dietrich Date: 11/11/2014 4:04:00 PM wow, this is POWERFUL stuff, and I share your sentiments on that STUPID war that damn Nixon too carried on into the 70's.Bless our poor dear veterans fighting for the stupidities of the world's leaders. Login to Reply Dan Helppi Date: 11/11/2014 4:53:00 PM Hi Andrea, If you haven't seen "Fog of War" with Robert McNamara, it is a tremendous film well worth tracking down. And yes, our veterans are truly heroes no matter the "leadership."

Brenda Meier-Hans Date: 11/11/2014 1:06:00 PM Thanks for sharing this Dan. Thanks for stopping by Brenda. Login to Reply Dan Helppi Date: 11/11/2014 4:47:00 PM Always a pleasure Brenda.

Darlene Gifford Date: 11/11/2014 10:46:00 AM Dan, thanks for this poem about your dad. I feel your emotions well expressed. I pray your dad is recovering as best as he is able. Your love comes through! Thanks for reading "My Little Soldier Boy" poem. We share a grief! Login to Reply Darlene Gifford Date: 11/11/2014 5:22:00 PM "I love Him Big" that sounds like a poem to me, Tim Dan Helppi Date: 11/11/2014 4:46:00 PM Darlene, thanks for your kind words, and yes my Father is much better now than when I was growing up. It is a hard thing when you do not know how to help, one year I sent flowers anonymously thanking him for his service, it seems so small, but I Love him big and I know he knows I Love him Big. So that is something.

Robert Stoner Jr Date: 11/11/2014 10:24:00 AM He said it well and truthfully, Hope he is living well now with and without the war. Login to Reply Dan Helppi Date: 11/11/2014 4:36:00 PM Robert, I see I wasn't clear, my Dad's letter was written before he went to Nam, written to his Uncle Laurie, a letter I found when an adult, in his letter he seemed so different, free, not scarred. The poem is a letter I wrote but do not intend to send to him. I have a desire to help him, but do not know how, Love him I do and he knows, but it would be nice to ease his burden.

David Meade Date: 11/11/2014 10:19:00 AM The ravenous of war take a toll on the soul for individuals, the families, the society . . . thank-you for sharing this story -- it's important to keep remembering. Login to Reply Dan Helppi Date: 11/11/2014 4:30:00 PM Yes David, the ravages of war are visited on the children of returning service-members also, in the form of mental illness in their parents. I appreciate you reading my poem.